Hubby and I recently took a road trip from Los Angeles to New Mexico. We ended 2021 in the very fun Nevada border town of Laughlin.
I had heard about Laughlin via their very robust travel representatives that I met when I visited the LA Adventure and Travel Show in 2019. I was all set to visit and tour the Laughlin area and then… well you know… the Covid 19 pandemic hit!
Fast forward…secure with two vaccines, a booster, and lots of masks – we ventured to Laughlin en route home to LA. We opted to stay at theLaughlin River Lodge located on the banks of the Colorado River. The hotel was well equipped with dining options nearby, several casinos, and an outdoor heated pool with a spa.
PLUS… the lodge is loaded with family fun activities including a bowling alley, kid specific activites, and kid-friendly electronic games (Similar to what we played many times at amusement centers on the New Jersey Shore boardwalk.)
The rooms at the Laughlin River Lodge are quite nice and reasonably priced. Thanks to my TripAdvisor’s TRIP PLUS membership, we paid under $60 per night for a quiet and clean room.
Some may say Laughlin is a “mini Vegas”, but we found it to be unique and prettier than over-stimulating Las Vegas. First and foremost, you can enjoy water sports thanks to the flowing Colorado River that separates Arizona (Bullhead City) from Nevada (Laughlin). Staying at the Laughlin River Lodge afforded us access to the beach alongside the river and an opportunity to snap photos. Plus, there are many places to shop, eat, have kids play, and enjoy a walk while being surrounded by beautiful mountains that illuminate the awesome sunsets.
We had read up on TripAdvisor reviews about where to eat in Laughlin. The Minato Japanese and Korean restaurants frequently received consistently excellent reviews and the menu piqued our interest!
OMG – this restaurant was AWESOME. Yes… there is EXCELLENT SUSHI in the DESERT!
Minato’s was located within easy walking distance from our hotel in a little shopping center. An elevator for easy accessibility is available to bring you to this ultra-yummy establishment. We started our meal with a LAUGHLIN ROLL. This was a tempura-sushi hybrid made with various veggies and seafood. I could have ordered a second but we opted for an udon noodle soup instead. Hubby likes to compare restaurant spring rolls, so we ordered some. They were some of the best we ever have eaten!
Lastly, the udon soup was stocked full of meat and veggies plus a healthy dose of chili! Luckily, I had ordered a Thai ice tea that helped to soothe the slight burning in my mouth from this spicy dish! I would easily give the food and service a 9/10 rating.
The Laughlin sushi roll at Minato’s
Minato’s spring rolls
Bonus Fun – Classic Cars!!
As previously mentioned, there is much to do in Laughlin. We opted to visit an exhibit of old classic cars and gaming machines at the aptly named Laughlin Classic Car Collection. Pricing varies here from free to $3 per person. (Waived if you are a casino “member”.) I would recommend this place as it provided great family fun and there were no visible issues for people using mobility equipment to have full access.
LAUGHLIN – thanks for the fun! We will be back!
(Note, I have been a frequent contributor to TripAdvisor and a beta user of this new plan – but my opinions are not being compensated for on this blog.)
New Mexico has always fascinated me. Maybe because the culture is so different than the way I grew up in New York. Since it is within a “reasonable” driving distance from Los Angeles (14 hours), hubby and I decided it would make a perfect holiday vacation destination. So with a packed car for all kinds of weather, from snow to “sweater weather”, we ventured out through the Mojave region of California, into Northern Arizona, and eventually reached Alburquerque and Santa Fe, New Mexico.
Along the route, we stopped at a few fun locales off “Old Routte 66”. From quirky dinners to a place that touts itself as a “ghost town” – OATMAN, ARIZONA. (I will go more in-depth about this region in the mountains another time.)
Back to New Mexico…
The west part of New Mexico is FLAT… and WINDY! And despite the speed limit often being 75 MPH, you will find yourself cruising much faster because there is not much visually interesting to stop you. The ride is a long and quasi-straight highway/freeway with an occasional tumbleweed flying by you. Once you find yourself on the cusp of Alburquerque (ABQ), you will notice more mountains among the vastness.
Hubby and I mapped out a few places that we wanted to see in ABQ during our stay. Friends had suggested we check out the petroglyphs that are in several parks on the perimeter of the city. We started at the visitor center mid-afternoon, only to find out the park closed by 4:30. That left us a measly hour to explore. Note: this park is not handicap accessible for those who wish to see the petroglyphs up close but use a walker or wheelchair. The terrain is rocky and there are many uneven steps that need to be taken to see the ancient artwork.
Day 2 – Museums of Alburquerque
First, we went to theNational Museum of Nuclear Science and History. Hubby was a former nuclear engineer and he was hoping that the museum would dedicate a good bit of its real estate to exhibits about the benefits of nuclear power. On the contrary, we found much of the museum dedicated to informative and interesting displays of nuclear energy for war efforts, such as during WW II. While this is an excellent history lesson and one that should be reiterated for the ages, it was a bit of a disappointment that only a small sliver of the museum spotlighted the positive use of nuclear energy/ power.
Of all the exhibits that piqued my interest, there was one that chronicled the post-effects of “the bomb” on the children of Hiroshima. There was a small display dedicated to the “Crane project”. I snapped a photo of the explanation of this mission below. In essence, there was a young girl, Sadako Sasaki, who was suffering from leukemia or “Atom Bomb disease”. She believed that anyone who created a thousand cranes would be granted a wish. Despite her efforts, she did die, but her friends and classmates published a book in her memory and the story of her crane project lives on decades later.
Not all was gloom and doom here. There was a section that brought out the movie geek in me. I really liked the exhibit that highlighted movies with “nuclear” themes. Notable mentions were “FAIL SAFE” and “WAR GAMES”.
Museum #2 included a trip to the ANDERSON ABRUZZO INTERNATIONAL BALLOON MUSEUM. This museum is dedicated to balloon flight and mainly the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta. Sadly, the internationally renowned Balloon Fiesta is in October and not December, when we were in the region. But, someday I hope to venture back to ABQ to see thousands of balloons lift off in succession for one of the world’s greatest exhibits of ballons in flight!
Included in this museum are several interactive lessons and much to keep the whole family occupied. There is one room dedicated to artwork, called MAGIC, that takes up a whole wall and is stunning. The artist is Jane Maclean and her 6 x 20-foot montage of balloon scenes is frankly… magical!
Made of a series of panels, this artwork by Jane Maclean depicts the ABQ Balloon Fiesta.
See a video about the Balloon Fiesta here. If you plan on visiting the museum – be sure to plan ahead. Tickets to the museum tend to sell out fast!
Note: Both museums demonstrated good accessibility practices from what I was able to see and learn.
More about Alburquerque…
This lovely city has very little in the way of nightlife. In fact, it is safe to say that it pretty much closes down by 5 pm. Old Town ABQ is very nice, but again – the local shops, museums, and other points of interest are closed before sunset. Dining also is a bit tricky. And for any kind of after-dark entertainment, many travel to the area casinos. We spent some time in the Isleta casino. It was nice and we had a good time, however, it is a wee bit of a hike from the center of the city.
An alley of an artist’s gallery in ABQ
Next stop… Santa Fe… but first the Turquoise Trail.
Many shops along the Turquoise Trail are brightly painted and very inviting.
We had heard about the infamous “Turquoise Trail”. This is a stretch of road between Albuquerque and Santa Fe that supposedly offered many shops and quirky “sites” to visit. Sadly, we were not too impressed. Much was closed and frankly, many of the area’s “hot spots” were run down. We did go to the Henderson Store in Golden, New Mexico. There we met a lovely couple (and bought some items). We enjoyed our time there and that stop alone made the trip worthwhile. I have a funny feeling that the Turquoise Trail is much better to see during the warmer months when more stores are open and artists are “in residence”.
About an hour north of ABQ is the small city of Santa Fe. Technically, it is a large city and the state capitol. Adobe buildings adorn the city center square with museums, galleries, and fine dining all throughout the city streets.
We started our day by touring the Wheelwright Museum of the American Indian. This is a compact museum that takes about 90 minutes to 2 hours to cover. It was just perfect to start there for our touring of Santa Fe. If you visit, here is a tip… Don’t leave here without checking out the museum shop on the bottom floor. It has a lovely book selection – including for children.
Downtown Santa Fe is charming, but was very crowded the day we arrived. Seating at restaurants was at a premium. We ended up getting take-out at Tomasita’s the evening we arrived. It was delicious but eating in our hotel room was less than desirable.
Here are some “tips” for Santa Fe, too:
While Santa Fe has lots to offer by day, again, the nightlife is limited.
Tickets are encouraged for the more well-known museums – such as the Georgia OKeeffe. We opted not to go there due to the limited number of tix and also having only two days in the area to explore.
Sculpture at the Wheelright Museum of the American Indian.
More tips…
There are many wonderful parks and outdoor attractions in the Alburquerque and Santa Fe areas. Go visit them!
Be prepared for weather that ranges in a single day from sunny and 60 to freezing and snow!
New Mexico is a slow paced state. Don’t expect a frenetic party environment – unless you know people in the area. This is one “chill” state – relaxation is like the state motto!
If you have the time – keep traveling – as there is much to see! Taos is the north of Santa Fe and worth a visit.
This state has mask mandates – everywhere. We were thrilled to see Covid 19 safety protocols in effect throughout the state!
If you are a regular reader of my blog, LouiseSattler.com – you may have noticed some subtle changes. First, I refocused the themes of this website to be more about learning – but the fun kind of learning. Nothing boring, I hope, you will find here.
WHY?
Because Covid 19 has resulted in my wanting to pivot – all the way back to my “roots” as a psychologist working with children, their families, and teachers.
So, as a result of my “pivoting”, I no longer will be offering any (social) media marketing services with these few exceptions:
Maintaining my relationships with current clients.
Review of products, books, or services that are child, education, or family -“centric”.
Event reporting (tbd)
Know that backing away from the world of social media marketing truly is a gift – to me! While I have made scores of great friends and have had more amazing and wonderful experiences than I can count working in the media world- I also have seen the dark side. And, it isn’t pretty. And frankly, I can’t stomach the drama a day longer. I am done with it. I now want to spend my time making a difference in the lives of children.
I won’t bore you with details about who, what, where, and how I went from happy to “done”. But, I will say that although I am stepping away from the world of social media marketing – I am confident that many excellent people will remain who I would trust with my business promotional needs and can help yours.
So, What Now?
For me, 2022 will be filled with positive changes and renewals! You can expect the following in the coming weeks, months, and years…
While I haven’t quite mapped out my next steps – I do know that they will be focused on children and creating content to help make their lives and education easier and perhaps more successful. I want to create common sense “takeaways” – such as helpful suggestions for families struggling with homework woes.
I also wish to do the following here on this website:
Use this website and fill it with resources I have sourced! Travel! Special Education! Psychology! and MORE!!
2) More conversation and sharing of my content via my FACEBOOK , INSTAGRAM, and TWITTER. This way we learn from each other.
3) Information about travel – especially for families who have unique challenges.
In closing, it feels good to be “back home” and to announce my intentions for 2022! Feel free to share how the past few years in “pandemic-mode” may have changed your career or family goals? Did you switch gears? Did you revert to what felt more “comfortable or traditional”? And check out below for a free download!
Below is a list of fun games and how they help skill development! The button to download free is below the image.
I wish you only the healthiest and happiest of holiday seasons. And, for any reason you are not with loved ones this year- know that you are in my thoughts and I wish you peace during this difficult time.
HAPPY HOLIDAYS! This year my holiday gift guide is filled with family friendly items that will keep all ages entertained and learning for hours and hours. (Remember – never stop learning!) Some of the ideas are new games or books from first time authors, while others are “staples” in the toy bins and play closets of millions of households.
New games that teach and entertain!
Brave the winter elements and play an older game with a newer twist – THE GROUND IS LAVA! This game is great for reinforcing the “art” of turn taking and gross motor skills. Plus, it has the extra benefit of mentally helping people by encouraging them to become ACTIVE.
The publisher summarized this dynamic game as follows:
Many people know the impromptu game of shouting out “LAVA” and everyone jumping up into nearby objects to get their feet off the ground. Endless Games created a format where players continue to imagine the floor is molten hot lava, but added play patterns using a spinner for color call-outs and having players jump along foam game pieces in order to reach safety. Challenge cards that enforce activities that can make it difficult not to fall into the lava come into play when landing on certain tiles.
Taking the game outside adds another format to play. “Tiles can be placed farther apart. Patio furniture and natural objects, like rocks and trees, can provide touch points or obstacles,” Turtle explained. “It’s very interesting to see the ways that kids are using their imaginations and being active with the game play.”
Endless Games also offers these fun games are available on AMAZON. Click the photo or the description below for the Amazon link to learn more.
CAMERA ROLL– a game that aligns with today’s teens and adults who list Instagram as their favorite “hobby”. Seriously, this game is a great gift for the teen in your life. Social skills and great conversations can result with this game.
JEOPARDY CARD GAME(regular and junior editions)- The popular game made famous by the late Alek Trebek. Great as a stocking stuffer and a travel game. Making my list two years in a row.
WHEEL of FORTUNE (regular and junior editions)– Perfect for teaching predictive spelling and word usage. This game is fun and teaches the basics of spelling without your kids even knowing!
HORROR TRIVIA (I and II – for those who love to scream their answers!) I have this on the list – just because…
PASSWORD-This is an older game revised. The concept of guessing words within a certain time limit based on verbal clues continues to bring a whole lot of the fun factor. If you to like to compete – this game is for you! Another language based game that helps kids to describe – great for growing vocabulary knowledge and literacy.
DROPSY– OOPS I did it again may be the theme of this game? Seriously, this is a funny game where balance is everything! Adults will like it, too.
New from Board Game Geek – FREQUENT FLYER!
A game for families who love to travel! Covid has limited our ability to travel, but, not our wanderlust! So, here is a way to satiate your cravings for exploring new places from the comfort of your home. (Better yet, learn about each place, make a list, and go travel there in 2022!)
BOOKS! BOOKS! BOOKS!
A book is a gift that can help a child learn about the world beyond their homes, ignite a sense of exploration, or teach skills – such as how to cope during tough times. The children’s books by Familius Publishing are some of my favorites! This year they have a very solid collection of Christmas-themed books. Check out these very creative and beautifully illustrated selections.
SANTA.com – OMG this book is so cute! What made me a big fan was not only this modern version of a classic Christmas story but the gorgeous illustrations that POP from the book’s pages! A perfect book for both boys and girls who are imaginative and love to read and be listen to stories. (Suggested age range: 3 and up)
The Christmas Train is the perfect gift for a toddler or preschooler. The story AND the book both unfold in front of your eyes! Bright and cheery illustrations with a holiday-themed short story. (Don’t tell the neighbors – but I bought their little ones this book and a similar themed book as a set.)
LITTLE ELVES VISIT CALIFORNIA! How many holiday books teach geography and state facts? This one does (and Familius offers other states such as Missouri and Colorado! (Age range: Preschool and up)
FAMILIAR GAMES REVISITED WITH A PURPOSE or JUST FOR FUN!
Family Favorites also include these games (with a little info about which skills they develop that may help your child’s development/academics).
GAME
SKILL DEVELOPMENT
CANDY LAND SORRY TRIVIA PURSUIT for KIDS (or adult version)
Turn-taking/ Learning colors, basic counting, basic reading skills, and Trivia Pursuit expands beyond the basic fundamentals of learning.
Just in case you were wondering what I did with all these review copies I receive…
Games and books reviewed here were received from the publisher. I have donated them to charity so that disadvantaged youth can enjoy their holiday season.
Whatever you celebrate may this holiday season be filled with positivity and hope for a better 2022.
I am writing this on a quasi-cool September Los Angeles day. Schools are back in session. Kids are playing outside with their neighborhood friends. All while the work of the devil, aka Covid 19, continues to snatch our children.
If you think that kids aren’t getting Covid 19, becoming very ill from the disease, or dying – stop reading unless you wish to be educated with some hard facts.
And, if you are unvaccinated because you think “it won’t happen to me”, ” vaccines are a political ploy”, “I refuse to support Big Pharma”, ” The shot will change my DNA”, or any other stupid and non-educated reason – you may want to stop reading because I am tired of your rants and you will probably disagree with mine.
But, if you are one of the people who believe in science, know that we have to protect our children at all costs – even if that means being a little inconvenienced or fall slightly ill for a day or two due to a vaccine – then by all means – read on!
You see, I wouldn’t care if adults received a vaccine – or not – if it wasn’t for the millions of unprotected children around the globe. Who the heck is looking out for THEM? Science is. I am. Are YOU?
Your non – vaccinated self may decide not to hang around with kids – but are you having a beer with their parents? Going to the local football game with their teacher? Attending a concert with their bus driver? Or just hanging out in your cushy office for your co-worker to bring it home to the sweet newborn baby that he is bragging about being “just so perfect”? Your germs may seep their way into another grown-up human and make their way to mini- humans.
And while the vaccines aren’t 100% protection – No vaccine can guarantee that – the Covid 19 vaccines will stop kids and adults from DYING.
So until EVERY child is vaccinated or this insidious disease is eradicated – do the RIGHT thing. Get vaccinated. Funerals of children are the worst of the worst. Scratch that – all funerals are awful!
By the way here are some lesser known facts to combat the fiction about vaccines.
1) mRNA (the stuff that is in the vaccine by Pfizer and Moderna) also is being tried for anti-cancer / cancer treatments. Hmm.. how many non- vaxx Covid19 folks would run to get an “anti cancer” vaccine?
4) While we are on the subject of “sex” … can the vaccine ruin virility or fertility? Well guess what ?- Having Covid 19 could ruin your sex life- but the vaccine – nope. Read more here: https:///covid-19-could-cause-male-infertility-and-sexual-dysfunction-but-vaccines-do-not-164139
Yippee! You read to the end of my educational post about vaccines laced with a hefty dose of ranting.
Sorry for any grammatical or spelling errors – must have been the vaccine that took away the part of my brain for literacy. (Hmmmm)
Need some more reasons to get vaccinated? Go walk around your block, visit a park, or look into the eyes of your child/ grandchild.
Thank you. Respectful comments welcome. Disrespectful comments will be deleted.
Kauai is one of my “happy places”! Unique topography juxtaposed with a “tropical attitude” makes this Hawaiian island a true treasure. I have traveled to Hawaii several times and prefer Kauai to the other islands because of the “old world” feel it exudes. However, traveling during the Covid pandemic made this trip much more challenging than any of the previous. Because many are finding Hawaii, including Kauai, a preferred destination for their own vacations, I have decided to share a few travel tips here. Need some enticement to visit Kauai? I added photos, just in case!
TIP 1: If you are traveling from the United States be sure to consult this page at least one week prior to leaving on your trip: TRAVEL HAWAII . Also, check with your airline carrier.
International travelers should consult this website: https://travel.hawaii.gov/ – for pertinent information well before they plan on arriving in Hawaii.
TIP 2 – Make Reservations Well in Advance of Traveling
From cars to restaurants – be sure to make reservations well in advance to ensure that you have transportation (if needed) and also a place to dine. Popular restaurants, such as the Beach House in Poipu, are booking far in advance! Rental cars are a premium on the island and many are resorting to TURO to get around the island. For your personal safety please be sure to rent from only reputable companies. Note: a car is needed to visit many of the island’s favorite spots- such as Waimea Canyons.
TIP 3- Stay at a place that adheres to Covid 19 safety/ cleaning regulations.
TripAdvisor is very good at giving salient information regarding the reputation of hotels and vacation rentals in regards to their following Covid 19 sanitization protocols. Keep in mind, however, that this information is provided from the hotel or rental company and not vetted by TripAdvisor. A sample of what you can look for in the hotel description is below.
TIP 4 – Look for activities outdoors – without crowds!
While we traveled on a semi-crowded plane to get arrive in Hawaii – we didn’t feel the need to continue to be with “others” during our stay. Therefore, we opted for outdoor activities that were sans crowds or in some cases, even anyone else! When going to the pool we picked times that were not popular and if a group of people decided to join us in the hot tub we smiled and exited.
Most of our dining was outdoors at tables spaced fairly far away from other patrons. We stuck together on tours and didn’t do anything that entailed being with another group (such as any boat tours). While big group activities can be fun and a great way to meet people from all over the globe – we decided that now was not the time to be making friends! And, masks were mandated everywhere we went!
Below I listed some activities that you may want to consider if visiting Kauai:
Go when not busy to the Kauai Coffee Estate. Lovely to walk the farm area and free samples! Plus a super yummy gift shop!
Visit and if inclined, hike, Waimea Canyon State Park. Also, there is a delightful gift shop and restaurant within the park. Check it out for great coffees and perhaps you will have the pleasure of meeting David Parsons III as he sings a few groovy tunes!
Find quiet at the Sacred Forest – a great place to meditate and see some amazing trees!
Eat in quaint town of Waimea at Island Tacos or the Shrimp Station. Both are family favorites! If in Kappa go to the Kountry Kitchen – another favorite (The Salty Monkey breakfast is a must!)
Hang out at several beaches and relax far from others – there is plenty of space for all! Each beach has its’ own “personality” – so sampling a few is well worth it.
Enjoy an ice cream from Lappert’swhile walking around Princeville or Poipu (there are ice cream shops in both towns).
Kauai is the garden isle – visit the many botanical gardens sprinkled throughout this region.
Step back in time at the Kauai Museum on a rainy day or whenever! It is packed full of great Hawaiian artifacts, cultural information, and a fabulous gift shop!
Drive from shore to shore. Be sure to bring your camera, swimsuit, sunscreen, and a towel! (Not to mention hand sanitizer and wipes.)
Learn to kayak, paddle board, or surf! The ocean and rivers await you!
Check out the local newspapers (or websites) for area cultural events such as Hula presentations or lessons about Hawaiian culture and the language!
Lastly, rise early to see glorious sunrises and stand alongside the ocean shore to see the amazing sunsets!
As promised… here are some of my favorite photos (please do not copy or “hijack” – thank you!)
Have you ever seen something and thought to yourself, “I could do that!” A long time ago I had ideas on creating crib toys with black and white graphics – but no sooner did I have my prototype completed a toy company beat me to it! I also thought of play centers for kids that were both educational and fun – lost out on that too – remember Discovery Zone and Gymboree?! Now, I decided I am going to join an already established community of people who refinish used furniture and morph it to look vintage or retro. I have spent quite a bit of the past months scouring over Pinterest and online magazines. I have visited resale/consignment shops and creative art centers. I am gleaning from various resources a plethora of fun ideas.
Enough reading – time to sand, prime, and paint!
TIP 1: Collect common sense and useful resources on how to refinish furniture. ✅
Tip: Not all furniture uses the same materials or steps in the process of refinishing. Taking an old broken cabinet from a garage sale and painstakingly going through the process of repair, preparation, painting and, finishing – takes time. It is not a few hours of just slapping on paint.
I decided to go to the ReSTORE, owned by Habitat for Humanity. This is how one can buy get gently used furniture that isn’t too worn and also give back to the community. Here I bought my “practice piece” for $10 and one that I am most likely will just resand and use wood stain finish.
TIP 2: When you pick a piece of old furniture to “redo” make sure it has “interest” value.
For me, this means that the furniture has some cool features such as interesting etching in the wood, an unusual design or shape, and/or hardware that is really groovy!
I got this piece during my second visit to a second ReSTORE and bought it because 1) it was made by Ethan Allen 2) The handle knob was cool and visually interesting. Scroll a bit more to see how I transformed this sad little table to something a really “groovy”!
TIP 3: Add some pieces to your collection, but remember you only have so much space and time.
I spotted the piece below on the left at an Estate sales website. The lady asked for $75. I offered $10. We settled on $15. Now it sits in my living room. Milk paint on the top with a polyurethane finish. Resanded and refinished the wood on the sides and painted the interior of the drawer. It is pictured here drying in our very used and crowded garage. I could have picked up three or four more pieces in the set. I opted not to do so because I wanted to be selective. One was enough.
Until the next day.
That is when I picked up the lovely side table with drop leaves (right). Sure it needs some TLC – but I can’t wait to “sand this baby”! (Aww I am talking “DYI” speak!)
TIP 4: Let other’s know about your new creative venture and maybe you will make your hobby profitable.
I have been working out of our garage. So far, just by having people walk by – I have sold two pieces. One isn’t even started yet!
Below is the little Ethan Allen table that was kinda “sad”. Slide the arrow in the middle of the images below to see the “before” and “after”.
Here are the steps:
Sand the top wood with very light sandpaper. Preferably using a small electric sander.
Paint a primer coat (white) over the wood and let dry completely.
I used Benjamin Moore paint (eggshell) in the color WROUGHT IRON. I painted three coats on this piece. Thanks to the people at my local ACE hardware for being great resources and my “support” team for picking great colors!
I then used a furniture wax for painted furniture to give it a bit of sheen.
The old knob, which I liked, but didn’t think matched well with the new look, was replaced with this one from Home Goods. (Came in a set of four) I think this new knob gives it a more contemporary look.
Lastly, I lined the inside of the drawer with contact paper that does not stick (in case the new owner doesn’t like it and wants to replace it).
Voila! In a day or so this table will be ready for a new home (obviously not completed yet!
What’s in the trunk of your car? Today, a friend showed me her organized car that was stocked with items that would be useful to have during almost any emergency! While I had to admire her amazing packing skills – I also had to admit that I was not quite as “disaster prepared” as I should be. Shame on me! Especially since I have penned many articles on this subject! So, when I arrived home, I started to assemble my “to-go kit” for my car and update the emergency containers I have at home.
We cannot stop natural disasters, but we can arm ourselves with knowledge: so many lives wouldn’t have to be lost if there were enough disaster preparedness.
This year has been one for the record books! Devastating fires have erupted across the western states. Temperatures are well over 100 degrees Fahrenheit in areas that have not experienced triple digits in a long time, if ever. The hurricane season seems to be wreaking havoc with floods and tornado activity as a result. And then there is the very real possibility of an earthquake. Some may even say we are “long overdue.”
So how does one get ready to either evacuate or shelter in place? I found a comprehensive safety preparedness list to share that also has additional resources. It was compiled by the National Fire Association and their website is really chocked full of great information. They also offer tips for helping individuals requiring special assistance. Read more here.
Making time now to prepare will probably save you aggravation later!
This is my list is of things to place in your car or in an easily accessible box. Remember these items need to be available in one place so that they easily can be carried to your car or outside your home in a moment’s notice. In a disaster, rarely are you give the luxury of time to get all your items assembled. Sometimes people need to leave with just the clothes on their back. And, remember to have an emergency plan in place and practice. Be sure your children know how to evacuate and where to go if you are separated.
Flashlight with a spare set of batteries
CASH!
Medications for a week (or more)
Water and cups to place water in.
Change of clothes
Emergency supply kit (bandaids, eye wash, etc.)
Hygiene and personal products
Cell phone / computer/ tablet (have ready to go)
Phone charger / computer charger
Pet supplies
Flash drive with important documents, family photos, and any other non-replaceable items. Take a video of your home and place the video on your flash drive. Then BACK UP YOUR VIDEO to an “online” cloud like Google Drive or iCloud. These small devices are CHEAP and also can be the difference between being prepared and having hours or days of aggravation and grief over the loss of favorite photos, etc.
For children, their special toys, deck of cards, or small games to keep busy.
Earbuds or earplugs.
Sanitary wipes, masks, and gloves.
Special foods if your family members have allergies. And just in case: Cereal bars or energy bars.
SHELTERING IN PLACE
If you are sheltering in place – be sure to have all the above listed items (just in case you need to evacuate) AND enough food and water for 14 days. Canned or dried goods are best. Items most recommended are cereals, cereal bars, canned beans, tuna, peanut butter, crackers, and for your little ones baby formula (if needed), and don’t forget your fur-family members – pet food.)
